Fate & Transport of Contaminants

Contaminants' fate and transport in the environment involve their movement and transformation through air, water, and soil. Factors such as chemical properties, environmental conditions, and biological activity determine their dispersion, degradation, and accumulation, impacting ecosystems and human health. Understanding these processes is crucial for effective pollution management. My project in this area include:

1- Enhancing Contaminant Removal in Low Permeability Zones of Aquifers

Goal: The primary goals of this project are to comprehensively understand the behavior and movement of contaminants within low permeability zones of aquifers and analyze the factors influencing their fate and transport. We aim to design and test innovative techniques for the effective removal of contaminants from these specific geological formations, evaluating the efficiency of various removal methods in both laboratory and field settings. Improving existing predictive models to better forecast the transport and removal of contaminants in low permeability zones and integrating experimental data to increase model accuracy and reliability is another crucial objective. Field application and validation of developed techniques in real-world aquifer settings, coupled with long-term monitoring, will help assess the methods' effectiveness across diverse conditions. Assessing the environmental impact and potential health benefits of these improved techniques will ensure compliance with environmental regulations and contribute to safer drinking water sources. Sharing research findings with the scientific community through publications, conferences, and workshops, as well as collaborating with industry partners, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders, will facilitate the implementation and refinement of contaminant removal strategies. Finally, providing training opportunities for students and professionals, along with developing educational materials and workshops, will enhance awareness and understanding of contaminant fate and transport in low permeability zones.

Back diffusion signals of contaminants from low-permeability zones in a sandy aquifers.

Back diffusion signals of contaminants from low-permeability zones in a sandy aquifers

Funding Organization: GE, DuPont, University Consortium for Field-Focused Groundwater Research

Publications:

  • Bolhari, A., T. Sale. (2023). Processes governing treatment of contaminants in low permeability zones. Sci. Total Environ. 879 (2023) 163010. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163010.
  • Bolhari, A., T. Sale (2018). Treatment of Trichloroethene (TCE) in Low Permeability Zones of Aquifers Using Carbon Sequestration. USBI Biochar Conference. Wilmington Delaware.
  • Bolhari, A. (2012). Feasibility of treating chlorinated solvents stored in low permeability zones in sandy aquifers. Dissertation Abstract International 74(01), 134B. (UMI No. AAT 3523626) Retrieved December 16, 2012, from Dissertations and Theses database.
  • Bolhari, A., T. Sale (2012). Temporal partitioning of a chlorinated solvent release between DNAPL, aqueous, and sorbed phases in transmissive and low permeability zones. Hydrology Days, 32ndAnnual American Geophysical Union, Fort Collins, Colorado, March 21-23, 2012.
  • Wahlberg, J., S. Farhat, A. Bolhari, J. Martin, T. Sale, C. Newell, D. Dandy, (2012). Decision support system for modeling matrix diffusion processes, Fort Collins, Colorado, July 24-26, 2012.
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2- EcoShot: Tracking the Fate of Shotgun Plastics in Our Ecosystems

Goal: The primary goal of this project is to thoroughly investigate the environmental fate, transport, and degradation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastics originating from shotgun shells and wads in terrestrial ecosystems. By examining the mechanisms through which these plastics interact with soil, water, and biota, the project aims to identify factors influencing their persistence, breakdown, and potential environmental impact. Additionally, the project seeks to develop strategies for mitigating the negative effects of LDPE plastics on terrestrial environments and propose guidelines for more sustainable practices in the use of shotgun shells and wads.

Shotgun shells collected from the Colorado River.
Students performing experiments in a lab and out in a field.

Research team collecting aged shotgun shells, wads and their microplastics along the Colorado River Basin.

3- Student Design Fate & Transport Projects:

  • Flood, W.*, La Rue-Lovett, M.*, Schade, K.*, Wager, E.*, & Bolhari, A. (2022). Utilizing Cryogenic CO2 Spray process for Removal of Lunar Regolith Dust Adhered to Spacesuits. In 2022 Waste-management Education Research Conference (WERC) (Vol. 3, pp. 1-4). IEEE. doi: 10.1109/WERC54916.2022.9851240.
  • Butler, B.*, Engelken, J.*, Hill, M., Tillema, S.*, Trick, R.*, Bolhari, A., (2021). Utilization of Municipal Solid Waste Derived Biochar for Thermal Destruction of PFOA and PFOS. Colorado Rocky Mountain SWANA Annual Conference. Boulder, Colorado. November 1-3, 2021.
  • Dusenberry, B.* & Bolhari, A. (2019) Feasibility of Avicennia Marina (Grey Mangroves) in Salt Removal from Water. Texas. Digital Library Repository.听
Plants growing under indoor light.

* denotes undergraduate students, * denotes undergraduate students, ** denotes graduate students听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听